Lawmakers trade barbs in hearing on Stop Online Piracy Act

By Cecilia Kang – In a raucous House debate on Thursday over a bill to stop piracy on the Internet, lawmakers representing the interests of old media and new media drew their swords in passionate attacks and counterattacks over the controversial proposal.

The circus atmosphere of the hearing on the Stop Online Piracy Act, introduced by Rep.Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), reflected the high-stakes, emotional nature of the debate over how to protect copyrighted movies, songs or books online without trampling on the free speech of individuals and companies.